Stay Healthy, Stay On Top of Vaccinations

July 14, 2008

Dr. Marie Savard appeared on "Good Morning America" today to talk about the five vaccinations every adult should have. While important, that is only half of the list compiled by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. Read below for the full list, courtesy of the CDC. Click here for the CDC's full vaccination chart.

1. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Td/Tdap) vaccination

Adults who are unsure of whether they have been completely vaccinated should begin or complete initial, or "primary" vaccinations -- three doses of tetanus and siptheria toxoid-containing vaccines. The first two doses ought to be at least a month apart and the third dose should be six months to a year after that.

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Adults should get booster shots if the primary dosage was completed ten or more years earlier -- especially after incurring any injuries that are associated with tetanus including cuts caused by rust or old nails. For pregnant women, if the primary dosage was taken ten or more years ago, it is safe to get the booster shot during the second and third trimester.

Women who are pregnant and have had their primary dosage less than ten years earlier can get a booster shot during the immediate postpartum period.

2. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination

HPV vaccination is recommended for all females aged under 26 years who have not completed the vaccine series. History of genital warts, abnormal Papanicolaou test, or positive HPV DNA test is not evidence of prior infection with all vaccine HPV types, but HPV vaccination is still recommended for these persons.

Ideally, vaccine should be administered before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity. However, females who are sexually active should still be vaccinated. Vaccination is less beneficial for females who have already been infected with one or more of the HPV vaccine types.

A complete series consists of three doses. The second dose should be administered two months after the first dose; the third dose should be administered six months after the first dose.

3. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination

Measles component: Adults born before 1957 can be considered immune to measles. Adults born during or after 1957 should receive more than one dose of MMR unless they have a medical contraindication, documentation of more than one dose, history of measles based on health-care provider diagnosis, or laboratory evidence of immunity.

A second dose of MMR is recommended for adults who 1) have been recently exposed to measles or are in an outbreak setting; 2) have been previously vaccinated with killed measles vaccine; 3) have been vaccinated with an unknown type of measles vaccine during 1963–1967; 4) are students in postsecondary educational institutions; 5) work in a health-care facility; or 6) plan to travel internationally.

Mumps component: Adults born before 1957 can generally be considered immune to mumps. Adults born during or after 1957 should receive one dose of MMR unless they have a medical contraindication, history of mumps based on health-care provider diagnosis, or laboratory evidence of immunity.